Dioxin readings high

The reproductive systems of fish-eating wildlife are at risk because of high levels of dioxins and furans in the Tittabawassee River and Saginaw River and Bay, a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality report says.

The DEQ released results of an Aquatic Risk Assessment Tuesday. The report shows that high levels of the toxins, which are attributed to historical Dow Chemical Co. manufacturing processes, exist in carp, catfish, shad and bass from the contaminated waterways.

Levels found in tests are more than 200 times higher than those known to be harmful to fish-eating birds such as osprey and eagles and 60 times higher than those known to be harmful to fish-eating mammals such as mink and river otter.

Populations of the animals and birds are threatened by the toxins, the report states, because dioxin or furans at such high levels are known to cause reduced fertility and embryo or early life stage death.

Dow spokeswoman Sarah Opperman, who had only briefly read reports this morning, said results confirm that further study is warranted. The DEQ agrees that further testing is needed and acknowledges that the terrestrial mammals have not yet been studied.

"This preliminary assessment is based on extremely conservative assumptions," Opperman said. "If all of those assumptions were true, there would be no living species on that river. Thats not the case."

The DEQ states in a condensed version of the report that despite some uncertainties, enough is known to make management decisions and identify important remediation sites.

The report, which shows risk even in best-case scenarios, was drawn from more than 90 fish samples taken at four locations along the Tittabawassee River, and was compiled by Galbraith Environmental Sciences of Vermont.

It will be presented today at a meeting of the DEQ sponsored Tri-County Community Advisory Panel.

The panel is comprised of community leaders and concerned residents to offer input on remediation plans required of Dow as part of its recently issued Hazardous Waste Facility Operating License.

The meeting will take place at the Strosacker Center in Midland from 4:30 to 7 p.m.